Tina Karol. Intonatsii. /mini-pack/. (Intonations)

This album is a response to expectations of everyone who realized that Tina Karol was capable of much more than what she had so far demonstrated. There seemed to be no external motivations, given her already stable popularity. So, apparently, that is a drive from within. Only to the better. Stuff of that kind was something that not only Tina, but the entire Ukrainian "first echelon pop scene" missed. A test (for herself and her habitual audience), a pilot: literally every next track breaks the picture formed by the previous one. The album avoids the stereotype created by the previous ones. It's still pop music, but it includes generous portions of electro, dare, indie, soul, with symphonic inserts, echoes of gospel, strange recitatives. And the climax, a quiet explosion is the folk "Oy, khodyt son" (Oh, the Sleep's Walking) in author arrangement. This is a fairly resolute trespass into the territory of audience accustomed to stylistic overlaps, uncompleted phrases, and open endings. It is definitely interesting to listen to, although the quality of the lyrics sometimes goes significantly dissonant vs the quality of the musical material, it lags behind. On the other hand, the key focus is on how different the intonation colors in the voice are: from a tricky smile – through dim immersion, a true drama – and to warm... understanding? One way or another, this is a certain challenge to the "hardcore" Ukrainian variety art scene – and it is important that it goes not from outside, but from within it. The ice broke up.

After release of the song "Zhuravli", it became clear: some inner turn should be expected from The Hardkiss. Because it was something quite unexpected. Tender and transparent – but also deep, penetrating, and conscious of its own power. And the premonition tuned out right, the album "The Iron Swallow" is really a step forward in several directions at once..

There is no provocation, aggression – the man is just doing his job the way he likes. Braided in an intersection of several styles, his music attracts attention, above all, precisely with this – no pretending and calm confidence. Lyrically, unobtrusively, transparently to a degree..

Given the amount of work that Filatov is doing for a number of other performers, it is even surprising that he has enough energy and inspiration for his own project. However – he has enough. Enough energy, and imagination, and taste. Always in motion, in the process of development, always better than before – or, at least, different. The new album is an excellent illustration of this vector.

..Even in the ballads – this inner power cannot be hidden, it can be perceived almost physically. Perfection is a lie, of course – but nobody forbids strive and work for it. The Hardkiss is obviously one of those who aspire and work hard.

This album has become the first solo work by Alloise after she left Gorchitza live project. As a result, it turns out adequately light and gentle, vigorous without tension, dense – and, so to say, cultured. Advanced lyrical music equally appropriate in a club, and on the scene of a large open-air.

The basis for this experiment was recordings of singing by Tonya Matvienko's granny – Antonina – made 40 years ago. Due to digitalization of the records – Tonya is actually singing as a duet with her grandmother... However, this is not the only amusing thing about the project: the music component appears quite far from simple dance and variety rails.

..it is clear this was a considerable piece of work – but it is the "work" that you actually don't hear. One can hear – clear energy, passion, and the ability to present simple lines in a truly delicious way. However, not all the arrangements are that straightforward and, given the "lightness" of the genre, this approach especially pleases.

In music – as elsewhere – there are revolutionary and evolutionary steps. But in fact the line is not on the "r", but – on the implementation quality. The project "Onuka" in general, and the album "Onuka" in particular – are exactly about the implementation quality...

..it is difficult to explain magic – and there is some of it, and one does not need to be an apologist of relevance to feel it. Ivan Dorn and his friends produce true pop music – lightweight, smart, eclectic, and specific. Young. With genuine charm. Cool, nothing to say...

..it is clear this was a considerable piece of work – but it is the "work" that you actually don't hear. One can hear – clear energy, passion, and the ability to present simple lines in a truly delicious way. However, not all the arrangements are that straightforward and, given the "lightness" of the genre, this approach especially pleases.

"Kazaky" have preferred the English language and not the pop but rather the club style. Perhaps, their successful collaboration with Madonna played a role in this (shooting in the clip for the song "Girl Gone Wild") – anyway, "the guys on high heels" are clearly aimed at the "fashionable" audience...

In fact, "Kazaky" became famous as a dance project – they even inspired a whole wave of imitations and copies of their style and the scenic image. But in this case we are talking about a music album – no video bonuses, just music. The publisher identifies it as IDM – we think, rightly so.

The third album by The Maneken is a cocktail of a wide variety of styles of the contemporary pop music. Among masterminds of the new songs, you'll discover heroes of the dance music of the 90's, and such mega-stars of the world rock scene as Lenny Kravitz and Coldplay, and the ultra-trendy The Metronomy and Miike Snow.

Actually, in Europe, America, even Japan the Maneken is, probably, known even better than at home. But, fortunately, the situation is gradually leveling. Quality is valued everywhere, it is almost impossible to imitate it – at least, when it comes to music and the attentive listener. And this musician offers a high-quality benchmark...

The Maneken is a unique artist who works in one of the most trendy areas of the contemporary music – the electronic rock. Using music styles as "clothes" for decoration of his music ideas, he has created several unique "collections", which have its fans not only in CIS countries, but also in Europe and the USA.

Gorchitza live project very quickly became popular among stylish electronics fans – the ability to bring into dance music elements of rock, funk, etc, and at that to stay in the very light, transparent flow.

This music is more sharp-edged than, say, new-age, it contains more rhythmic patterns. But, at the same time, it is softer and slower than techno, it is put on a transparent, weightless basis. Well, and sounding of the violin adds, sure, pleasant tints.

It is not a secret that Maneken is Evgen Filatov, across whose remixes in the quality of DJ Major you quite often come in our store in albums of lots of popular performers. Well, and now it's time for an acquaintance with the author's music by Evgen – and it truly deserves favorable attention and proves that with practically each track of the disc.

Actually, disco could sound like this if it were given to a DJ who has already been sweating for two or three hours at the rack but has not yet lost the ability and inclination to experiment. That is why quite organically Arabic and African percussions and Jamaican rhythms, as well as "black" reciting and the "submarine" atmosphere are intertwined into the general canvas – for this is lounge, and diversified one.

...first, it is a frankly high-quality product – and, although now in Ukraine there is already quite a bit of high-quality electronic music, there are still more clubs, therefore the demand is only growing. Well, and secondly – however surprising, there is still not that much of club music with live vocal until now, if that is not outright waste.

Alexey Gorchitza creates tracks, which, in spite of their dance-orientedness, require from the audience something more than just readiness to shake soft parts of their body. Presumably, it will not be a mistake to name this – intelligent dance music, which in very nice proportions combines frisky rhythms and light, flexible melodies.

Their songs already long ago started being interesting for Europeans, they feel well in the USA, resonate in the Internet community – one could only be jealous. Look: on MySpace portal, this project took the 2nd rate in the world song competition conducted there, and Natalie Dali also won in a competition for the title of Miss MySpace USA in December 2009.

"Vintage" fashion has not gone round electronic pastures, this has long been clear. Well, and if one takes lounge – as it is in this style that the debut album by the group "Airport" is recorded – here vintage even looks absolutely natural. And, possibly, it is exactly due to this that music of the album acquires some additional soft depth, expressivenesses.

Recording of the debut album was supported, among others, by Olexiy Morozov, Denys Dudko, Alik Fantaev, Milos Jelic... In short, it has happily happened. It sounds interesting – and it is not only due to the relaxed, delicious arrangement clarity or the sincerity of intonations. There is also a sort of a special tint in the timbre..

Given the rapid development of Tonya's music career lately – it is even surprising that the album has been released only now. On the other hand, it could mean that she did not disregard the possibility of more thorough handling of the material. And the result deserves attention due to its..

"The Renaissance Epoch Woman" is the first author songs album by the singer that includes 12 versatile tracks (from the "New Age" style to the classics and ethnics), permeated with the idea of cultural renaissance, harmony, and spirituality.

These songs are already more than twenty years old, but they are still loved. After all, who does not know Marenychy Trio? Maybe, someone who has not listened to Ukrainian music at all. But, from now on, it can be easily corrected, and it's worth it. Listen to any song on this disc – and you will want to hear it again and again...

This release, distinguished Audience, represents the last studio work by the renowned group of true artists. Even authors' songs – both their own and by other artists – are stylistically intertwined with the Ukrainian folk song...

"Three Poplars" is the first CD by Marenych Trio. The greatest treasure of Ukrainians are songs, they reflect the soul of the nation. And the Marenych family, as no one else, have managed to successfully interpret the finest examples of folk and author songs – and to retain at that the pristine beauty of the melodie...

..the folk songs represented here can be and should be considered a branch of the romance – as the music constituent is not a reiteration of folk melodies but authors' arrangement of them. In this form the songs were intended, let's say, for chamber and concert performance. It does not eliminate, sure, the "routine use" – but somewhat different aesthetics arise.

Rushnychok ensemble consists of only two people – but when listening to the disc you would never say that. However, another thing is the main specificity of the ensemble. Namely – the voices of the both vocalists.